Discussion

Scottsdale/Phoenix are with 11 year old boy

I will be staying at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa next week and wanted some suggestons for nice fun places to go with my wife and kid. Would appreciate any suggestions. Also, heard Rawhide was fun and had a steak restaurant. Is it worth going? Thanks.

For starters, you're staying in a great area and will have a fun trip. Welcome to Scottsdale! The Kierland Commons shopping area is close to your hotel (they have a shuttle there, actually) and has several restaurants: Cheesecake Factory, North (Northern Italian), Greene House (American/Californian), Bobby's (higher end Italian, steaks, seafood), Zinc Bistro (french bistro but not too sophisticated for your child....they also have a great burger and excellent fries) and Ra. (Sushi) Greene House, Zinc, Bobby's and North are all good choices that you and your wife will enjoy and perfectly fine with an 11 year old. (We've taken our 2 year old to all three, regularly) I find that there are very few restaurants here that won't accomodate families and children.

For something "Western" with AZ flavor, Rawhide is a good bet but it has moved out of Scottsdale to the other end of the earth. (Phoenix metro area is HUGE) You might try Pinnacle Peak Patio as an alternative...fun, kitchy, and not a bad cowboy style steak. Families also rave about Rustler's Rooste - about 30 mins from you - but very western and completely family oriented. Another great alternative is Don and Charlies....steaks, chops and great BBQ and one of the best collections of baseball and sport memorabilia west of the Mississippi. Finally, Oregano's is a fun pizza place not too far from your hotel that has good food, fun (loud) family atmosphere....but be prepared to wait for a while and they don't take reservations.

Ranch Market. No contest. The kid will think you've taken him to Mexico for the day. Do lunch in the food aisle or Tradiciones, who will treat your son as if he were their own long lost relative. 16th & Roosevelt.

Below are some of my favorites near to Kierland in northeast Phoenix and adjacent portions of Scottsdale. We take our own much younger child to these places, so an 11-year old should be no problem.

Eden's Grill -- Middle Eastern food in a small restaurant run by an Iraqi couple. Wonderful kabobs, rice, and appetizers such as hummus and baby ghanoush.

Sabuddy -- Israeli restaurant. Nice mix of Middle Eastern and a few Eastern European elements. Best falafel I've had in Phoenix.

Pita Jungle -- Fun Middle-Eastern influenced place.

Zinc Bistro -- French. Upscale but not formal. There are menu items for adventurous adults, but also straightforward stuff a kid would like.

These are just the places I like within a five-mile radius. If you have a particular type of food that you would be willing to drive farther for, let us know a few more details and more recommendations will follow.

The Pita Jungle is 5 min. away from your hotel near Shea and Scottsdale Rd. My 11 year old likes to go there once a week. My kids love the hummus w/chicken, seafood provencal. Fun people watching, good prices, great healthy food selection. The local rustic steak places are pretty bad. Not worth the money unless you go to Mastros or a better steak house. The Four Seasons hotel is about 20 min. away and has a great desert atmosphere. Brunch is around 12.00 for kids, 25.00 for adults at the Crescent Moon. Hike Pinnacle Peak mountain trail after brunch, next to the hotel.